Activists rap MSEDCL for erratic load-shedding

[sidmis]

Activists rap MSEDCL for erratic load-shedding
as reported in Times of India, 22 Aug 2008, TNN

City activists on Thursday came down heavily on the Maharashtra State
Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) for shirking
responsibility of supplying power and creating obstacles in the path
of the Pune model of zero load-shedding instead of supporting the
path-breaking initiative.

In a letter to MSEDCL managing director Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Sajag
Nagrik Manch founder Vivek Velankar warned that an agitation would be
launched if the company continued to test the patience of Puneites by
"irrational and excessive load-shedding and refusal to accept power
secured through national exchange".

"When the MSEDCL decided to put on hold the zero load-shedding model
in July, Puneites stood by the company as they understood that it was
an emergency situation," Velankar said in his letter. However, even
after the revival of the monsoon and reduction in power shortfall, the
MSEDCL still continued with load-shedding and that too in an erratic
and irrational way, dishonouring load-shedding protocol, he said.

Referring to return of load-shedding in Pune on Wednesday after the
MSEDCL refused power secured through the energy exchange, Velankar
said Puneites were strongly feeling that in spite of co-operating with
the distribution company in times of emergencies, the MSEDCL was
testing their patience. "We have a strong feeling that there are some
undercurrents to sabotage the zero load-shedding model," he charged.

Velankar has pointed out that publishing information about the
decision of imposing load-shedding in Pune is mandatory on the MSEDCL
under section 4(1) (C) & section 4(1) ( D) of the Right to Information
Act 2005. He has demanded that the MSEDCL make public the basis of
calculation of load-shedding hours for Pune; what authorisation has
been received for this calculation from Merc and what load-shedding
protocol is being followed by it.

He has also asked as to when the MSEDCL gave instructions to Tata
Power for purchasing additional electricity for Pune, the quantum and
rate decided for this, the basis for quantum calculation, when and why
the instructions of "not to purchase from national exchange" were
issued to Tata power, what efforts were made by the MSEDCL to procure
power from firm sources and national exchange for the entire state to
reduce demand supply gap and whether is it not their basic
responsibility.

Velankar has warned that failure to publish all these facts would lead
to complaint to the State Information Commission for abuse of Right to
Information Act 2005(section 4).

Shantanu Dixit of Prayas energy group told TOI that the MSEDCL cannot
pass its responsibility of securing power onto others. "The Pune model
of zero load-shedding was worked out because the MSEDCL failed to
ensure adequate power supply for the city. Now, we find that instead
of supporting the model, the power company was creating hurdles by
refusing power secured on 'day ahead' basis. The reasons cited for
refusing power from energy exchange do not hold water," he said.

Dixit said the MSEDCL should have been far more responsible when it
came to discontinuing a successfully working model. He pointed out
that it was the power company's responsibility to ensure uninterrupted
supply in the state and try to secure electricity from all sources if
the company failed to meet the demand.

"The MSEDCL cannot claim that they cannot buy costly power because the
electricity regulatory commission permits recovery of additional cost
from consumers if costly power was bought. However, the power company
does not seem to be making efforts to reduce load-shedding ," Dixit
said.

Activists rap MSEDCL for erratic load-shedding-Pune-Cities-The Times of India

[karira]

As reported by TNN in timesofindia.indiatimes.com on 02 September 2008:
Complaint filed against MSEDCL -Pune-Cities-The Times of India

Complaint filed against MSEDCL

PUNE- City-based consumer group Sajag Nagrik Manch (SNM) on Monday, filed a complaint with the state information commissioner , Pune, against the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) for violating Section 4 of the Right to Information Act 2005 (RTI) by not disclosing suo moto relevant facts pertaining to load-shedding in the state.

The complaint has been filed under section 18 of the RTI for violation of sections 4 (1) (C) & 4 (1) (D) by MSEDCL .

In his complaint, SNM founder Vivek Velankar said that he had sent a letter to MSEDCL managing director Ajay Bhushan Pandey for explaining the erratic load-shedding in the city. Velankar had said that these cuts are in violation of the orders given by Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (Merc). "MSEDCL has not disclosed the facts till date and to top it all they have increased the load-shedding hours," he said.

Velankar stated that MSEDCL should have disclosed the basis on which they calculate the number of hours for load-shedding; If Merc had authorised MSEDCL to cut power; if MSEDCL is following any protocol for load-shedding and if they have received any authority from Merc for this.

Velankar urged the state information commissioner to direct MSEDCL to make the obligatory disclosures.

During an earlier hearing, MSEDCL had declared that in the monsoon months, from July to September, the city did not need to purchase extra power for mitigating loadshedding and that it can maintain zero load-shedding model on its own.

"Back then too, Prayas and our organisation had pointed out to the MSEDCL that their presumptions are wrong. We told them that this year too they will need extra power. Despite these warnings, MSEDCL stayed put with its stand," Velankar said.

In his letter to MSEDCL managing director, Velankar had said, "Pune has been enjoying zero load-shedding since June '06 (by paying extra charge for the same), thanks to the initiatives by CII.

This year since April '08 the Pune Model was reshaped. Tata Power Trading Co. was the appointed franchisee and they provided the required power to Pune."

[karira]

As reported by ENS in expressindia.com on 02 September 2008:
Loadshedding up by over an hour - Express India

Loadshedding up by over an hour

Pune, September 1 The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited has announced an hour’s increase in load-shedding in areas under all three groups A B and C. The revision in the loadshedding also includes power cuts for hoardings and 10 per cent conservation of energy at malls and government complexes from Tuesday. The MSEDCL has also increased the load-shedding from 16 to 34 hours in industrial areas.

The increase will be by an hour in Group A areas in Shivajinagar and Kothrud from 4.45 hours to 5 hours and 45 minutes, in group B areas of Bhosari to 6 hours and 30 minutes and Group C areas of Pimpri up to 7 hours and 15 minutes.

Relief in loadshedding will be provided upon the availability of power generated by the Tata Power Company. The relief will be to the tune of one hour in Group A, one hour and 15 minutes in Group B and one hour and 15 minutes in Group C on September 2, officials said.

Reacting sharply to the increase yet again in load-shedding hours, Sajag Grahak Manch president Vivek Velankar has filed a complaint with RTI Commissioner under Section 18 of the Right to Information Act against MSEDCL for violating Section 4 (I) (C) and 4 (1) (D) of the Act. “To this day, MSEDCL has not done this mandatory disclosure and yet again they have increased load shedding hours,” Velankar said.

He said that the MSEDCL should have disclosed the basis of calculation of load-shedding hours for Pune.